Gay rights group names E&Y employer of the year

ERNST & YOUNG has been named the most gay-friendly employer in the country.

Gay rights group Stonewall awarded the Big Four firm its employer of the year title in its Workplace Equality Index, up from third last year. It also topped the inaugural “Global Best Practice Index”. Its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender network – EYGLES – was also named as one of Stonewall’s star performer network groups.

The firm attributed its success to initiatives such as the concept of inclusive leader, its sponsorship of National Student Pride and its discussion with clients about sexual orientation as a workplace issue.

Harry Gaskell, managing partner for advisory and head of diversity and inclusiveness at Ernst & Young, added: “Being named the 2012 Employer of the Year is an achievement that we’re very proud of. I’m really happy with the great progress the firm has made since it first entered the Workplace Equality Index in 2005 and look forward to continuing to champion diversity and inclusiveness in 2012.”